Chester County surpasses pledge to house 100 homeless veterans

Chester County fulfilled a plan to house 100 veterans in 100 days, with 102 veterans who were experiencing homelessness moved into permanent housing by June 27.

The campaign, which began on March 17, supports federal strategic efforts to end homelessness among veterans by the end of 2015. County agencies and community partners, working with federal offices, implemented the campaign as part of Decade to Doorways, Chester County’s 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness.

“We are extremely proud of the work of our partners in quickly identifying, evaluating and placing homeless veterans into safe, secure and affordable housing across the county,” said Michael Hackman, Chester County’s Decade to Doorways administrator. “But our work continues. There are still dozens of veterans experiencing homelessness in Chester County who want – and deserve – an affordable place to call home.”

Under the plan, Chester County veterans who needed permanent housing found it through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Supportive Housing Vouchers, through Supportive Services for Veterans Families provided by the Veterans Multi-Service Center and Catholic Social Services under a VA grant, through other homeless service providers or through their own resources.

Landlords who would like to list available rental units should contact Amelia Boyer, Housing Coordinator for the SSVF program, at aboyer@chs-adphila.org, or call 610-384-2318.

Chester County-based agencies taking part in the Veterans Housing Campaign include the Chester County Department of Community Development, Decade to Doorways, the Housing Authority of Chester County, Veterans Multi-Service Center and Catholic Social Services, the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Fresh Start Program, Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center, Catholic Social Services, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Transportation Management Association of Chester County.